West Ham must permanently shift 2022 flop this summer, even if it means striking early contract release

West Ham have to revamp their squad after relegation to the Championship, and one player who must head out the exit door is Maxwel Cornet.

West Ham’s terrible recruitment over recent seasons has been central to their decline. WHUFC are preparing for Championship football and must take a ruthless approach with their squad building.

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The Hammers will lose star players. Mateus Fernandes has joined Spurs, and Crysencio Summerville is widely expected to be the next on the move with Manchester United holding strong interest.

However, one silver lining of relegation is that it brings a great opportunity to finally shift out deadwood once and for all. Unfortunately for the East London outfit, they’ve got a fair amount to get rid of.

Why West Ham must shift Maxwel Cornet for good

One player who must head for the West Ham exit is Maxwel Cornet. The winger has not had anywhere near the impact hoped upon his arrival from Burnley back in the summer of 2022.

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The Ivorian had been a standout for the Clarets, so it was hoped he could replicate that success in the same colours. That has not been the case though, with only 37 appearances made and just one goal scored along the way.

As a result, Cornet has spent the last two seasons out on loan. He linked up with Southampton before that spell was cut short, starting the first of two separate spells with Italian side Genoa over the next 18 months.

Now 29, Cornet is back with WHUFC with a year left on his contract. A career revival seems highly unlikely, and it will be best for all parties that he moves onto pastures new for good.

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West Ham can get Cornet’s wages off the books and the player can leave this tough spell of his career in the past. The Championship side can still receive a fee for his services, but in truth, it may be best to come to a mutual contract termination agreement if a sale deal can’t be struck.

Maxwel Cornet’s Premier League stats for West Ham

Squad revamp essential to West Ham comeback

There are players that West Ham are going to have to take a hit on, Cornet included. However, it is essential that this squad enters the 2026/27 campaign with the right mindset and attitude to return to the Premier League at the earliest opportunity.

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Any complacency will be punished – the Championship has proven as much on plenty of occasions. WHUFC may be viewed as early favourites for promotion, but another poor summer will leave them in jeopardy of being swallowed up in a highly competitive division.

The Hammers must shift the deadwood and recruit wisely if they are to rebuild successfully. Offloading fringe players and bringing in a new crop of hungry stars determined to deliver promotion is essential.

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